Snapping Turtle

A friend found this amazing snapping turtle on the side of the road in upstate New York. After a bit of an investigation I discovered another large... more

by Gypsie Rose

Title

Snapping Turtle

Artist

Gypsie Rose

Medium

Photograph - Photograph - Photography

Description

A friend found this amazing snapping turtle on the side of the road in upstate New York. After a bit of an investigation I discovered another large snapping turtle across the road. It was a wonderful experience.

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida. This species and the larger alligator snapping turtle are the only two species in this family found in North America (though the common snapping turtle, as its name implies, is much more widespread).

Common snappers are noted for their belligerent disposition when out of the water, their powerful beak-like jaws, and their highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name "serpentina", meaning "snake-like"). In some areas they are hunted very heavily for their meat, a popular ingredient in turtle soup. These turtles have lived for up to 47 years in captivity, while the lifespan of wild individuals is estimated to be around 30 years

Uploaded

August 29th, 2013